Ron Carter

RON CARTER is among the most original, prolific, and influential bassists in jazz history, with more than 2,200 albums to his credit, an accomplishment honored in the 2015 Guinness Book of World Records. He has recorded with greats including: Tommy Flanagan, Gil Evans, Lena Horne, Bill Evans, B.B. King, the Kronos Quartet, Dexter Gordon, Wes Montgomery, and Bobby Timmons, Jaki Byard, Eric Dolphy and Cannonball Adderley.

From 1963 to 1968, Ron was a member of the classic and acclaimed Miles Davis Quintet. He was named Outstanding Bassist of the Decade by the Detroit News, Jazz Bassist of the Year by Downbeat magazine, and MVP by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He earned two Grammy awards, one in 1993 for Best Jazz Instrumental Group, and another in 1998 for Call Sheet Blues from the film Round Midnight.

Ron has composed music for the classic films A Gathering of Old Men, The Passion of Beatrice and Blind Faith. In 2014, Ron received the medallion and title of Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, France’s premier cultural award, by the French Minister of Culture.

A best-selling author, Carter’s books include Building Jazz Bass Lines and his autobiography Finding The Right Notes, available in print as well as an audio book read by the Maestro himself. In 2016 he published Ron Carter’s Comprehensive Bass Method, an advanced level book pioneering the use of QR codes to demonstrate technique in printed books.

Additionally, Ron authored The Ron Carter Songbook, a collection of 121 original compositions including classic hits such as "Little Waltz, For Toddler’s Only, Loose Change."

In 2017, Ron expanded his reach to his considerable worldwide following on Facebook, where he regularly posts helpful information and back-stories for bass players and fans alike. His “Facebook Live” events are enjoyed around the world. 2018 saw the publication of Behind the Changes, another groundbreaking book where Carter shows how he “changes the changes” with each new chorus, with a clear roadmap to how any bassist can do it with proper practice.

Ron teaches frequently at master classes around the world. He has also received five honorary doctorates, most recently from The Juilliard School. Ron continues to tour worldwide, with his trio, quartet, nonet and big band, playing to sold-out crowds across Europe, Asia, and South America.